Description of work: Is a metaphorical tribute to the potential building power of the arts and Grand Rapid’s youth. Meta-Phorest is a large-scale public artwork that will be produced in conjunction with the West Michigan Center for Arts & Technology’s faculty, staff, students, and the greater Grand Rapids community. We will be hosting several workshops for communities around the city for people, young and old, to create a unique element for the inclusion in the mural.

Tracy Van Duinen was co-lead for the 2nd place 2009 Artprize entry Imagine That. He has recently completed Happiness Is for the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Lobby. Van Duinen, a Kendall College of Art & Design graduate, works in the Chicago Public Schools using public art to help urban teenagers connect with their community.

Tracy Van Duinen's mosaic mural "Imagine That!" - Artprize 2009

Todd Osborne is co-lead for Imagine That and Happiness is at the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. He has been teaching art on the South side of Chicago for the past six years. Osborne and Van Duinen have been working with inner-city youth to create large-scale multimedia murals on blighted underpasses and playgrounds all over Chicago.

Happiness Is ... What makes you happy? Hundreds of children helped artists Tracey VanDuinen and Todd Osbourne define happiness in this massive bricolage mural - the centerpiece of the lobby. The mural is 160 feet long and 19 feet high.

Phil Schuster is a sculptor with over 25 years experience in creating bas-relief sculptures and public art environments. Schuster has made innovative works involving communities of large scale, site-specific artworks. Schuster has made dozens of unique art installations, creating whimsical concrete gardens in urban spaces.

What makes you happy? Hundreds of children helped artists Tracey VanDuinen and Todd Osbourne define happiness in this massive mosaic mural